football | Tuesday, November 29, 2022 2:28 PM (Revised at: Tuesday, November 29, 2022 11:10 PM)

Saudi Arabia vs Mexico Bet Builder Tips: Goals and Player Card Make 9.00 Builder

James Cantrill

Saudi Arabia vs Mexico Bet Builder Tips: Wednesday, November 30th

We’ve got Saudi Arabia v Mexico bet builder tips. The pair face off at the Lusail Iconic Stadium as Group C reaches a fascinating crescendo on Wednesday evening with all four teams technically in with a chance of reaching the knock-out stages.

Neither of these nations currently occupy a spot in the top 2 and although a draw may see the Saudis through, it is unlikely to be enough which is why we could be in for a thriller here.

In this article:

Saudi Arabia vs Mexico Preview
Saudi Arabia vs Mexico Stats & Facts
Saudi Arabia vs Mexico Bet Builder

Saudi Arabia vs Mexico Preview

World Cup Group C, Wednesday, November 30, 19:00 (UK)

As I am sure most of you are away, each of the Saudi Arabia players received a Roll Royce and there was a national holiday declared after they beat Argentina 2-1.

Czesław Michniewicz’s Poland gave them a reality check though in the form of a 2-0 defeat.

Goals courtesy of Piotr Zielinski and Robert Lewandowski came either side of a penalty save as Wojciech Szczesny foiled Salem Al Dawsari from the spot.

Perhaps the Green Falcons’ luck had run out as while there was a huge element of fortune about their victory over La Albiceleste – scoring twice from an xG of 0.16 – they were unlucky against the White and Reds.

Unlucky to miss the penalty and there was certainly an element of fortune about Lewandowski’s goal with Abdulelah Al Malki making a fatal error in the build up.

Saudi Arabia’s destiny is still in their own hands though, victory would see them through. A draw might but it requires Poland beating Argentina by a three-goal margin, so slim chance of that.

On paper, the margins between Mexico and Argentina were razor thin, with 0.16 xGD between the sides and nine match shots split slightly in the favour of La Albiceleste.

It took a little magic from Lionel Messi to break the deadlock and El Tri have the seven-time Ballon D’or winning to thank for their lowly position, as they prop proceedings up in Group C.

In order to qualify, if Argentina and Poland draw, the North Americans must win by a four-goal margin yet they will need five goals if Argentina beat Poland.

Saudi Arabia vs Mexico Stats & Facts

Saudi Arabia have only kept one clean sheet in their 18 matches at the World Cup, conceding 42 goals at the finals (2.3 per game).
In their five clashes, Mexico are yet to lose to Saudi Arabia, winning 4 of those.
Mexico have not scored in 4 WC games since Chicharito netted against Korea Republic in 2018.
No Mexico player has had two or more shots on target at this World Cup so far

Saudi Arabia vs Mexico Bet Builder

Saudi Arabia have only kept one clean sheet in their World Cup history, so it does not exactly bode well for their crucial game against Mexico.

Hervé Renard’s high line, low block combination proved to be problematic in their curtain-raiser, as Argentina always threatened in behind.

Messi found the net against them from the spot and could have doubled his tally.
Lautaro Martínez would have also had two that day if he could time his runs.

Saudi Arabia also conceded twice against Poland, meaning they have shipped four goals from an xGA of 5.03, which is why I expect chances to come the way of Mexico on Wednesday.

They also created plenty in their last game, generating an xG of 2.25, and given what is required of them to progress, both teams to score looks the play here.

Given the magnitude of this clash, cards could fly here with both nations going hell for leather for a result.

Hector Herrera’s price of 5.50 for a card looks very large, considering the same angle is as short as 3.50 elsewhere.

The Mexican midfielder has started both of his nation’s World Cup matches in Qatar, picking up a card as he anchored the midfield against Argentina.

Domestically, Herrera has notched up 60 cards over the course of his domestic career and, considering he has made 345 appearances, the 5.50 available looks too big.

On the international stage, he has racked up 18 cards, a cards per 90 average of 0.24.

He will also be covering the Saudi’s danger man Salem Al Dawsari, he tops his nation’s charts for shots per game (2.5) and no one has scored more goals.